The Impact of Improved Dairy Cow Adoption on Smallholders' Food Security in Northern Ethiopia: An Endogenous Switching Regression Approach

Background: Increased adoption of dairy cows is a significant factor in lowering food insecurity, but in northern Ethiopia, it is still overlooked. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impact of adapting improved dairy cows on smallholders' food security in Northern Ethiopia. Methods: This study used a total of 360 sample households, of which 176 and 184 were adopters and non-adopters, respectively. An Endogenous Switching Regression approach was used to address the potential selection biases of improved dairy cow adoption. Besides, the food security status for the adopters and the non-adopters was estimated using a Foster-Greer-Thorbecke index approach. Results: The results indicated that compared to the non-adopters, adopters had an increased calorie intake of 3.89%, and dietary diversity was increased by 10.5%. Moreover, compared to the adopters, food insecurity among the non-adopters was more prevalent and severe, with a higher gap in all Foster-Greer-Thorbecke index. Conclusions: Notably, this study calls upon policymakers to focus on the dissemination of improved dairy technologies within rural areas of Northern Ethiopia as a strategic intervention for addressing food insecurity.